Baekho sees the candle flickering behind them, decorating most of the indoor restaurant.

“Ren,” Baekho says cautiously, finishing chewing his food. “Are you sure you’re not...?”

Ren smiles, and although there are potential weapons made in his disposal on the dining table, it’s not what worries him.

“Oh, I’m not jealous.” Ren insists as he drinks his coffee and settles his cup back down on the table.

Baekho gives a strained smile, “We really are just colleagues.”

Ren smiles endearingly as he taps the edge of his cup and Baekho sees the flame flicker a bit more. It’s not that Baekho’s afraid of Ren hurting him, he never would, but it doesn’t mean he’d spare a thought for his colleague.

And when Baekho sees his drink start to boil in Ren’s grip, he decides to intervene.

He shifts close around the booth and sits closer to Ren, pushing his plate with him and cuts a small piece of meat. Ren makes no sign that he sees this, but Baekho knows he’s observing, and then Baekho lifts his fork and smiles.

“I know you said you had no appetite, but it really is good.”

Ren finally shifts his gaze back towards him, and tilts his head as he gives him a thoughtful look. “You’re trying to distract me.”

Baekho cleared his throat, “N-Not really.”

Ren reached over and took the piece of meat and ate it from his fork. After he finished, he smiled. “I didn’t say it wasn’t working.”

Baekho was glad to see the flame of the candles not at risk anymore and sees Ren wait patiently to be fed again.

Baekho always had to be careful, because for one thing, Ren was a-

“Ah, Baekho.”

The two look up to see the same colleague from earlier. He’s sure Ren still quite clearly remembers the two and their friendly encounter. One he walks in on when he visits Baekho at his office inside the hospital, but it really was chaste.

At Ren’s subtle scowl, Baekho knew there was no reason to convince him. Baekho was never one to stray, but it didn’t mean Ren wasn’t the jealous type.

“Enjoying yourselves I see,” Jonghyun smiles graciously at Baekho smiles, Ren gives him a sharp look. “Maybe we could join you?”

“Maybe next time,” Baekho offers politely and Jonghyun nods.

“Another time then.” Jonghyun says and leaves with his date.

Another time?

“You’re not going to throw him in front of a car, right?” Baekho asks.

“I can’t.” Ren murmurs. “If I could though-”

“Don’t.”

“I won’t.” Ren throws his hands up in defeat and turns away. Baekho reaches over and places a hand on his shoulder and holds him close.

“I promise you, we really are just friends.”

“Oh, shifted from colleagues to friends have we? What’s next? Lovers?”

“Of course not!” Baekho utters and holds him even tighter. “Please, believe me. There is no one else and there will not be.”

It takes a good minute of Baekho’s hold that calms the other’s nerves, and Baekho’s glad to see the cup of coffee cool down and settle. And just as Ren turns around in his embrace and appears calm now, a waitress appears at their table.

“Compliments of the gentleman on table 8.” She smiled.

Baekho didn’t have to look up and groaned inwardly.

That set him off, and just like that, all the candles in the restaurant flickered off and left the place in darkness.

See, there was something just a bit different about Ren, something that he knew for a long time.

Ren was a witch.

-